Under water cutting torch



J. L. swAFFoRD UNDER WATER CUTTING TORCH Aug. 6, 1940.

Filed llarc h 2a, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 6, 1 J. L. SWAFFORD I UNDER WATER CUTTING TORCH Filed March 28, 1939 2 SheetsSheex 2 7.15. .j'zaaffarrzv A itomeys Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention appertains to new and useful improvements in torches and more particularly to a torch for underwater use.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a torch of the character stated which is of simple construction and safe to use.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a torch of the character stated which is easy to handle and which will be efilcient in use for cutting particularly wrought iron and steel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side'elevational view.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, with the insulation wrapping removed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan. view with the wrapping removed.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the tip sleeve.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the square burning rod.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the burning tip coupling.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes the elongated barrel which as shown in Figure 1 has the hose line 6 to the air compressor or oxygen tanks not shown. At the rear end of this barrel 5 a plug I is employed to close the same and this plug has a reduced extension 8 apertured as at 9 to accommodate the electric cable l0.

Extending laterally as at II and rearwardly as shown is the tube l2 which has the air hose 6 connected thereto at its rear end. A valve i3 is provided in this tube l2 and over this valve operates the pivotal handle H, the same being pivotally secured as at I! to the ear IS on the said tube l2.

A coupling of either 45 or 90 degree angularity and denoted by numeral l1 connects the barrel 5 to the burning tip tube IS, the tube l8 being threaded at its inner end as at l9 to engage into the coupling l1.

Numeral 20 represents the burning rod which is of square cross section and which extends longitudinally in the tube l8 and is apertured as at 2| its inner end to receive a pin or the like for securing the burning rod in the tip tube l8. Thus it can be seen that due to the fact that the rod 20 is of polygonal cross section and the tube I8 round, passageways will extend longitudinally between the rod 20 and the tube l8.

While a 45 degree coupling I1 is shown in Figure 2, a 90 degree coupling 22 as shown in Figure 9 can be used.

A wrapping of rubber tape or the like 23 is placed over the entire structure. In other words, the barrel 5 and tube I! are taped together as shown in Figure 6, the hand lever H for the valve is taped as is the coupling l1 and the entire tube I8 is taped.

The tube I8 is preferably brass while the rod 20 is of cast iron and this is ideal as the sleeve remains burned off just far enough behind the rod to allow the rod to take the main heat of the arc. Thus the rate of burning of the tip is the rate of burning of the cast iron rod.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. A torch of the character described comprising an elongated barrel having a burner tip at one end thereof, an electrical connection at the opposite end of the barrel, an air supply tube extending parallel to the barrel and connected to the latter at one end thereof, a hand valve in the tube, and a wrapping of insulation for the barrel, tube and tip, said tip consisting of a sleeve and a burning rod extending longitudinally in the sleeve and being of polygonal cross section to define oxygen passageways between the flat sides thereof and the inside of the sleeve.

2. A torch of the character described comprising an elongated barrel having a burner tip at one end thereof, an electrical connection at the opposite end of the barrel, an air supply tube extending parallel to the barrel and connected to the latter at one end thereof, a hand valve in the tube, and a wrapping of insulation for the barrel, tube and tip, said tip consisting of a sleeve and a burning rod extending longitudinally in the sleeve and being of polygonal cross section to define oxygen passageways between the fiat sides thereof and the inside of the sleeve, said sleeve being of brass or light metal and the rod of cast iron or like metal.

3. In a torch of the character described, a burning tip, said tip consisting of a sleeve defining a conduit for oxygen, and a burning rod of polygonal cross section extending through the sleeve and defining a plurality of oxygen passageways between the flat sides of the rod and the inner side of the sleeve.

JON LEX SWAFFORD. 

